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Thursday, July 9, 2015

Reflection: Family Iftar Dinner with Eruyan Family

On the 21st day of Ramadan Sunday January 5th, Cem and Ilknur Eruyan hosted
an interfaith Iftar dinner. Pacifica Institute, invited individuals from all
religious groups to join them at the dinner table to break the fast. The Iftar
meal is served once the sunsets. This is considered the holiest time.

Ramadan is a social time for Muslims and is celebrated with
elaborate meals. ‘Meal time’ was at sunset, around 8:02 that night. The first
dish was lentil soup and water, followed by multiple dishes of baklava, salad,
peppers with rice, and dates. After, the main dish of beef and mashed potatoes
was served.

The purpose of fasting for Muslims is to help focus one’s
thoughts to God during the day. Once food is served at the end of the day, one
is able to meditate upon food and appreciate it more.

When the meal was finished Mr. Eruyan left the diner table
to pray. He performed a series of chants to himself while bowing and standing. Mrs.
Eruyan went to prepare the desert and Turkish tea.

The Eruyan’s house was decorated with traditional Islamic
art. Mr. Eruyan explained that one piece
of art represented the coexistence of Muslims, Jews, and Catholics. The picture depicted all three religions
praying in their own religious buildings. This gave way to conversations about religion.

The guests compared religions to search for similarities. It
was noted that Muslims and Catholics held many similar values and stories. For
example, the story of Johan and the Whale are similar, as well as the belief in
angels and the afterlife.

Guests shared their experience with intercultural
interactions. One guests shared her experience in India. She recalled her
friends warning her that there was excessive poverty to enjoy the country.
However, she said once she reached outside her comfort zone she was able to
find the beauty within the country. Ilknur then shared her experience in her children’s
elementary school. She shared that some mothers would not talk to her because
she wore a headdress. She chuckled the words, “I’m harmless!” She then said,
once the mothers got to know her they became friends.

Many form their perceptions of Muslims off of media coverage
on extremism. The family expressed that extremist actions are not religious. They
emphasized the peaceful teachings of Islam.

“I could not imagine raising my children and teaching them
acts of violence from extremism,” Mrs. Eruyan said.

Pacifica Institute encourages non-Muslims to experience an Iftar
dinner during Ramadan in the homes of other Muslims. The dinners are held with
hopes to diminish cultural boundaries. Food, drink, and conversation symbolized
intercultural tolerance and communication.

For me, the experience was refreshing. The intentions of the
Eruyan family were whole-hearted as they fed strangers at their table. However,
we left not as strangers, but as friends.